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Best Friend-Date Locations In Pittsburgh

May 19, 2016 8:00 AM

Photo Credit: Tupungato/Thinkstock

Photo Credit: rmuislandsports.org

The Pittsburgh region has a wealth of opportunities to get out and have fun to celebrate with friends or in groups. The diversity of Pittsburgh offers a chance to try new activities or learn new things and then share the excitement together. Here are five activities that are fun and adventurous with the possibility of an instance to work together, tour the Pittsburgh neighborhoods, paint a work of art, taste culinary delights, learn how to cook and help a sports team to victory.

If you and your friends are into the puzzle and mystery genres, then try out your innate skills of solving an escape from a jail or a devious laboratory. These two rooms will test your patience, ingenuity and acumen to escape the pitfalls of moving around the room within an hour time limit. The journey begins when your group engages in working together and find ways to solve an exit from one of the rooms, which are chosen ahead of time. The unique challenge prompts you to seek out clues, and be sure to keep abreast of the assigned time limit to escape. Be sure to check out the rules, booking and scoring to make this experience one that will have you come back and try out another room.

Trying to find new activities to explore and experience just became easier by booking a cooking class with Gaynor Grant and the staff at Gaynor’s School of Cooking. Gaynor is well-known in the culinary field and there are opportunities to learn how to cook a gourmet meal that your friends can share together. The cooking classes are perfect for friends and small groups, and all it takes is to sign up for a class, and be sure to check the calendar of events for an available time slot. There are several programs to entice your friends to join that include pastry, international and wine tasting and what a great way to get together and meet new friends.

The Pittsburgh region is a wonderful place to tour and find out interesting historical information about the surrounding neighborhoods. There are five locations to explore the history and culinary experience of the city and you will need to purchase tickets to ensure a place and date slot. The tour guides will point out the unique culinary pleasures of each stop and make sure your shoes are made for walking and appetite is ready to experience a diverse menu of choices. The $39 ticket price includes the tastings, food, and bottled water, but the real price is the precious time together with friends and the congenial tour service.

With three locations to get you and some friends into some painting fun. Paint Monkey starts you with paint, canvas, apron, and brushes. There is a sketch to help you begin the process to make a work of art, but the final product is an individual progression and help is on the way from local artists. Don’t worry about the staying in the lines, as the studio has a relaxing environment, and even more casual is the ability to bring your own bottle of spirits and snacks. The painting classes have a two hour session for $35 or three hour session at $45.

Gerry Cernicky is a retired health and physical education teacher with 36 years of experience. He is a former teacher of the year and a sports writer for the Vandergrift News. He delivers podcasts, and maintains a website and blog. He currently resides in Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.